Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir says a possible indictment against him for war crimes threatens to derail Darfur peace talks.
Speakingin Ghana's capital, Accra Thursday, Mr. Bashir said an indictment wouldprompt Darfur rebel groups to distance themselves from the talks.
Healso said it would threaten Sudan's democratic transformation aspolitical parties prepare for elections next year and would have whathe called a "catastrophic" impact on regional stability.
Prosecutorsat the International Criminal Court have accused Sudan's president ofmasterminding a campaign of rape, murder and deportation in Darfur, andhave asked the court to issue a warrant for Mr. Bashir's arrest.
The court has not made a decision on the request.
The African Union and Arab League are seeking to have case postponed.
Mr. Bashir denies the charges against him, and Sudan has refused to cooperate with the court.
TheDarfur conflict began in 2003, when ethnic African minority rebels tookup arms against Sudan's Arab-led government and state-backed Arabmilitias.
The United Nations says the five-year conflict haskilled more than 200,000 people and displaced some 2.5 million others. Sudan has accused Western governments and media ofexaggerating the conflict, and says only about 10,000 people have died.
Mr. Bashir comments Thursday came at the opening of a two-day summit of African, Caribbean and Pacific leaders.